India: Now, Bhujbal booked in Delhi’s Maharashtra Sadan case

Two days after booking him over allotment of a Kalina plot to a builder for construction of a library , the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday lodged another criminal case against ex-PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal for his alleged involvement in the New Delhi Maharashtra Sadan scam. Along with Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Samir have been named among the 17 accused in the case.

Bhujbal has been booked under Section 13 (1-C and D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and various sections of the IPC for misusing his official position for personal gains by corrupt means for pecuniary advantage and for cheating and forgery .

In the wake of a PIL filed by AAP activist Anjali Damania, the Bombay high court had asked the ACB to form a special investigation team to probe charges against Bhujbal and his family members. Anjali Damania’s contention was that the contract for construction of the Maharashtra Sadan was awarded to Chamankar Enterprises without following the due process of law and in lieu, the firms and trusts controlled by Bhujbal and his family members had received huge kickbacks. The ACB found that after the contract was granted to Chamankar Enterprises, a huge amount of money was transferred from the partners of Chamankar Associates to firms directly or indirectly controlled either by Bhujbal or his family members. In addition, the contract for supply of furniture to the Maharashtra Sadan was granted to a firm owned by members of the Bhujbal family . More than Rs 15 crore was paid to Parvesh Constructions, Bawesh Developers and Armstrong Energy , all firms owned or controlled by Samir and Pankaj Bhujbal, the probe has revealed.